First experience of pTX RF pulse design at 11.T MRI for whole brain imaging in vivo

Motivation: Following the commissioning of the Iseult CEA 11.7 T whole-body MRI system, first in vivo human brain images have been acquired at 11.7T. Goal(s): Our aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of whole brain imaging using an 8TX/32RX home-built RF coil and to test subject-tailored pulses as well as calibration-pTX pulses. Approach: Using 9 in-vivo B1 maps of the brain, we prepared and tested tailored kT-point pulses and universal GRAPE pulses to be used in non-selective 3D sequences. Results: Our retrospective pulse performance analysis confirms the feasibility of whole brain imaging at 11.7T both using subject tailored and calibration free pTX. Impact: . At 11.7T, the heterogeneity of the pseudo-CP mode, the transmit efficiency and the SAR level are such that dynamic pTX and extensive RF pulse optimizations are essential for whole brain imaging applications.